17-year-old Kiwi designer goes from NZ Fashion Week to New York

While it's normally the big brands that attract the crowds at New Zealand Fashion Week, there are also a handful of newcomers owning the runway.

One of those new kids on the block is Georgia Hensley-Smith, who at just 17 years old has shown a collection at the event for the first time.

She has her own label Geoj, and on Tuesday made her debut as one of four new generation designers.

"I'm so excited for everyone to see my designs. But those last minute tweaks are certainly quite nerve-wracking," she told Newshub before the show.

Georgia was busy backstage on Tuesday morning making those tweaks to the 10 outfits she designed in just over a month.

"It has been the quickest collection I've had to make. Every minute of the day and night has been sitting down at my machine, doing very long hours at school."

Georgia said she began dreaming big at just five years old, and was inspired by shows like Project Runway.

"I have always known I wanted my own label," she said.

"I wanted to sell things and see people walking down the street wearing Geoj."

While she's previously worked with colour, the teen said this time she went all black.

"I thought, I'm showcasing at New Zealand Fashion Week, I need to go all out and super bold... Go back to my personal style and the people who inspire me every day."

And her mum Faith Hensley-Smith couldn't be prouder.

"I can guarantee I'll shed some tears," she told Newshub.

"It's just that motherly instinct of being proud. Having those moments, I mean this is a first for us."

But it won't be the last, as Georgia has even been asked to show in Milan and New York.

"They messaged me and asked if I wanted to be in the show this September... but I said I'm doing New Zealand Fashion Week so I can't make it this year. But I'll do the next one, and they said, 'Yup perfect'."